Seeing what it clearly believes is an untapped market, Netgear announced NeoMediacast, which gives pay TV providers an alternative to the traditional set-top box. This is an Android-powered system in a Chromecast-sized package that simply plugs into the back of your TV via an HDMI port. The idea here is that service providers can offer apps and premium content stores to give their subscribers access to everything they currently get through their cable boxes.

While comparisons to Chromecast are inevitable, it's important to remember that the two products serve entirely different market segments. While Chromecast is tailored toward anyone who has a TV and a mobile device or laptop, NeoMediacast is only being sold to service providers, who will, after customizing it to suit their requirements, sell or lease it to their customers. Netgear expects to start shipping the device in July, but there's no indication of any major partners who might be on board at this stage. It's also currently unknown whether or not the Google Play Store, or another open app store, will ship as part of the device's software.

As for the hardware side of things, here's what Netgear had to say:

The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle comes with a host of innovative features:

HDMI dongle form factor for small footprint

Android 4.2+ supported with RDK support in the future

1080p/60 full HD, H.264/MPEG4 video decode

Supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 2.1

Miracast®-enabled

802.11ac high-speed wireless connectivity

USB powered

Micro SD slot for playback/storage

Micro USB (OTG) for secondary storage

DRM support for Microsoft PlayReady™, Google Widevine® and Adobe® RTMPe

If they are truly aimed at service providers, I'm surprised they're not targeting H.265 now that SoC chips are starting to support it, as service providers are already oversold capacity-wise...

Dalladubb

This is a pretty amazing risk on Netgear's part. Who are they trying to sell it to? Cable and satellite companies? Specific content networks like, for example, AMC and HBO? So many questions.

Mike

Yeah selling it to cable companies to replace there cable boxes? I think not comcast and other cable companies will buy these and kill the technology. Nice try though

ddh819

them or maybe someone like roku

vergify

Why would they kill it? It's a lot cheaper to produce this than those set-top boxes.

Android Developer

Does it also have the same abilities of the chromeCast? that we can cast to it?
Also, wouldn't it be better if all companies would agree on some standard so that this product won't be purchased more than once per family (in case you switch companies) ?

Scott Niemczyk

Isn't miracast supposed to be a wireless sharing method that some tvs have built in? I'm not 100 percent sure but I thought that's what miracast was supposed to do. If so then yes you should be able to cast stuff to the TV through this also.

TransMaroBird

I think this is just one step closer to the death of cable and al a carte service…….Death to cable companies! Death to cable companies!

I actually just switched to Comcast after being with Bright House (AKA TimeWarner) for about 11 years. So far so good. Care to share what's so bad with Comcast? I'm quite curious.

KlausWillSeeYouNow

Ho boy. :-)

Where can I start? I had Comcast for 11 years, and with no discernible improvement to the products the price steadily increased. Support was a horrendous experience; their agents are ill-equipped to help anyone due to ridiculous company restrictions. More than once, they billed me improperly and even changed my package without my consent, then said there was nothing that could be done. In-store agents claimed to help me, and after assuring me that all my issues had been rectified absolutely nothing had changed. NOTHING. Even after driving miles to go to the godforsaken store and more than 5 hours on the phone... OVER A SINGLE ISSUE. Also, their corporate structure is horrible. I don't think they treat their employees very well.

I switched to DISH Network and I have never looked back. DISH is vastly superior to Comcast, in every way. The X1 system is absolutely pathetic compared to what modern set-top boxes offer... I actually love my set-top box because it's a Hopper. My Hopper with Sling is the best thing ever. You have no idea how nice it is to be able to record 6 shows at once and skip over commercials until you've tried it. :-) If you're not in a term contract, I would STRONGLY suggest you discontinue your service with Comcast and try a better provider, like Dish. You're missing out on more.

I'm actually not too big on cable TV, I mostly switched to save some money and have faster internet. So far so good on both of those fronts. Ignoring the week-long hassle it was to actually sign up as a customer and get the plan that I wanted and have a tech come out and install, everything's been great.

Let's hope I don't run into any horror stories like what you've been through. If I do run into issues, I REALLY hope I don't have to drive to their nearest location, since like for you, it's quite a ways away from me as well.

What ISP are you using now that you're with DISH?

KlausWillSeeYouNow

Well, this is awkward... you're about to label me a hypocrite, probably... COMCAST! I had to go back, just for internet, and I've hated every minute of it. Comcast's video services are lousy imho; their internet is working fine for me presently. But I can't stand them.

But before you do, let me explain:
-Dish Network suggested that Comcast's standalone internet was the only worthwhile service in my area. They are indeed correct, as they are the only option. It works very well with my Hopper.
-There is no DSL-based solution in my area. I would have it if there was; I check daily.
-I cannot get U-verse or FiOS-based internet, either.
-There is no other terrestrial provider of internet services in my area besides Comcast. There was never any choice.
-I did some experimentation with HughesNet (satellite-based), but it was against DISH's advice and sure enough, it didn't work reliably for me. And the usage caps killed me.

So, JUST for Internet I have Comcast, and I can't stand them. They're not the worst ISP (because my Internet does work reliably), but there are better ones. For TV, Dish is worlds better than Comcast.

Yes they're my ISP. I have their Blast internet, which is 50/10. I had 30/2 with Bright House so this is a nice upgrade for me.

The plan I'm on is called Blast Plus, which is a bundle of their Blast internet (50/10, as stated above) and their Digital Economy TV for $54.99/mo (plus equipment fees and other such BS of course) for the first 12 months. Here's a list of all of their channels, so you can see which ones are included with Digital Economy:http://www.comcast.com/Customers/Clu/ChannelLineup.ashx

There's quite a couple of channels missing on that plan but like I said, I'm not much for TV anyway. I just want fast, reliable internet. :D

KlausWillSeeYouNow

Amen! I really can't believe Bright House can't beat Comcast for speed. My Floridian relatives all have Bright House, and are generally satisfied. Hmm. Was the problem that Bright House couldn't offer you anything faster, or anything faster at a competitive price?

Also, my Performance actually far outperforms the estimates. I have pulled far more than 25 on that connection :-) I actually can't complain about my Internet at all. Loving it.

Bright House does offer faster speeds, but if I go that route I wouldn't be saving any money. I decided to go with Comcast after much deliberation because Bright House really didn't have any bundles to offer me that would allow me to keep my current internet speed and lower my bill. If I got out of the TV+internet bundle I was currently in so I could lower my TV channel selection, it would actually cost me more than what I was paying for the bundle.

Since my sister had recently moved to Jacksonville for law school and signed up for Comcast and hadn't had any issues, I figured I'd look them up and see what they had to offer. Imagine my surprise when I came out with a lower bill and faster internet. :)

KlausWillSeeYouNow

Good to hear. :-) Always nice to lower the bills. TIP: Stop leasing their modem and buy a Zoom 5341J. BEST. MODEM. EVER. It's seriously amazing. No complaints with that baby! :-)

Thanks for the tip, I actually already own a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Bright House started charging modem fees a couple of months ago so I decided to finally bite the bullet and get my own. I made sure it was a modem in both Bright House's and Comcast's approved list, since I was already thinking the move to Comcast was a possibility in my near future.

Also one thing a Bright House tech once told me which I found interesting:
Think of the modem fee as a service plan as opposed to a rental/lease fee: If you own your modem and it dies, there's nothing we can do about it. You are responsible for fixing it or replacing it yourself. If, on the other hand, our modem dies on you, we will come out and replace it at no extra cost to you.

I thought that was a neat way to think about it, and it's certainly true. Too bad I've never once had the need to have any of my modems serviced in 11 years, so I'm pretty confident the one I bought will be just fine for years to come. :P

KlausWillSeeYouNow

Very interesting! They told me that too. I've never had a problem either, so I will take my chances. :-)

KlausWillSeeYouNow

The Hopper and Android (eg. my LG Optimus G Pro on T-Mobile) play nice BEAUTIFULLY, too. :-) I didn't know you could choose between Bright House and Comcast... really? I thought cable companies typically designated areas so that they are served by only one terrestrial provider.

What amazes me the most is that even though it's far better (especially technologically), Dish is far less than Comcast.

Yeah I found it strange myself, and so did the Comcast people I spoke to on the phone. It was quite interesting actually. Apparently it's not a fluke either, as I've seen Comcast trucks around my neighborhood before. My next door neighbor actually switched from Comcast to Bright House some years back as well so it's definitely not something unheard of in my neighborhood.

KlausWillSeeYouNow

In case you were wondering, too,the signal is a non-issue. I wouldn't have it if it was. Rain, snow, and sleet simply have no effect on picture quality, stability, or sound (provided your dish is installed properly). The myth that satellite is unpredictable or unstable is the single biggest hoax cable companies perpetrate on their customers.

shantic

This looks an awful lot like the MyGica ATV120 Dual Core TV Stick which I own, I am guessing its the same.

Marc Edwards

so basically... it's a google tv? but that is being sold to network providers so they can fill it with the usual bloat and restrict it to their network only instead of customers that can just download an app? makes perfect sense.

John Smith

I don't see a mention of "OpenCable" in the specs - so I don't see Comcast getting in on it.

Phil

Never tried the dongle for an Android TV. I've only had experience with the acutal GBox and the SkyStreamX Box. Our newest line up of boxes are dual core, basic 8gb memory with 1gm ram, but the software that we put on the box absolutely blows the competition out of the water. The box is smooth operating and pushed over 24fps at 1080p Check out this Android TV Box, it's a dual core running Gotham. Fully loaded and ready to go. Or you can check it out on Amazon here Android TV Box.